Frosted Salmon Peony Poppy is an heirloom variety of Papaver paeoniflorum that delivers dramatic, densely petaled blooms in a soft salmon tone with a frosted, almost crystalline finish. This cottage garden classic reaches 24 to 36 inches tall and flowers reliably from spring through summer, typically blooming within 98 days from seed. Unlike many ornamental poppies, this variety attracts pollinators while remaining deer resistant, making it a practical choice for gardens where wildlife pressure is a concern.
1
Full Sun
Moderate
3-10
36in H x 10in W
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High
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The frosted salmon petals have a luminous quality that seems to glow in morning light, with the peony-like doubling creating layers of soft texture rather than a simple single flower. Germination is straightforward if you follow one crucial step: surface sowing with light, which signals these seeds it's time to wake up. Blooming for nearly six months across spring and summer in most zones, a single plant produces successive flushes of flowers that cut beautifully and attract beneficial insects all season long.
Grown as a cutting flower for fresh arrangements and as a landscape specimen in cottage gardens and pollinator plantings. The long, sturdy stems and extended bloom period make it particularly valuable for gardeners seeking reliable color from late spring through midsummer.
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Sow seeds in pots 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Surface sow and cover lightly with vermiculite or use a humidity dome to maintain moisture during germination. Keep temperatures at 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit until sprouts emerge (typically 5 to 20 days), then move seedlings to a cooler location at 50 to 60 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent leggy growth. Handle transplants very gently, as poppies strongly dislike root disturbance; many gardeners prefer direct sowing for this reason.
Transplant hardened-off seedlings outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Space plants 12 inches apart to promote air circulation. Handle the root ball with extreme care during transplanting to minimize shock.
Direct sowing is recommended and can be done 4 weeks before your last spring frost. In zones 8 and warmer, you can also sow in late autumn for winter germination. Mix seed with fine sand and scatter thinly over prepared soil. Press gently into contact with soil but do not cover, as these seeds require light to germinate.
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